Ahead of the second Russia-Africa Summit and Russia-Africa Economic and Humanitarian Forum in St. Petersburg over July 27–28, Russian President Vladimir Putin wrote an article, “Russia and Africa: Joining Efforts for Peace, Progress and a Successful Future,” expressing his vision for the future of Russian-African relations. Postedthe Russian presidential website, it has also appeared in the Egyptian national daily, Al Ahram and other African media.
After reviewing the history of their relations, he stressed Russia’s strict adherence to the principle of “African solutions to African problems.” “We have never tried to impose on partners our own ideas about the internal structure, forms and methods of management, development goals and ways to achieve them…. We are brought together by a common desire to shape a system of relations based on the priority of international law, respect for national interests, indivisibility of security, and recognition of the central coordinating role of the United Nations….
